Martin Guitar to be Featured in Upcoming Episode of "Craft in America" on PBS

News

Martin Guitar to be Featured in Upcoming Episode of "Craft in America" on PBS

News

Martin Guitar to be Featured in Upcoming Episode of "Craft in America" on PBS

Monday, September 21 2015 09:52

"MUSIC" episode focused on handmade instruments and their players will air November 20 at 10:00PM ET

Nazareth, PA – C.F. Martin & Co., the oldest surviving maker of acoustic guitars in the world, will be featured in an upcoming special episode of "Craft in America," the award-winning documentary series on PBS, on November 20th at 10pm ET (check local listings). This hour-long episode, titled "MUSIC," focuses on how fine handmade instruments, including ukuleles, trumpets, banjos and guitars, are crafted as well as the talented artists who play them. The episode culminates by highlighting C.F. Martin and Co., giving viewers an inside look at the Martin Guitar Company's Custom Shop, as well as musician and political activist, Joan Baez, who has been playing Martin guitars for over 50 years.

"MUSIC" gives a glimpse inside the Martin custom shop, showing the skilled craftsmen as they build soundboards, bracing, frets, insert inlays and apply unique finishes to their specialty guitars. Joan Baez, who has been at the forefront of and witness to significant social changes in the history of this country, also welcomes the program into her home. She speaks candidly about her long career in music and activism and playing her favorite guitar, a C.F. Martin vintage 0-45. The segment concludes with Baez performing her composition Diamonds and Rust.

"MUSIC" also travels all across the country to show viewers ukuleles crafted by the Kamaka family in Hawaii, trumpets made by David Monette in Oregon and played by Count Basie Orchestra director Scotty Barnhart, banjos created by Geoff Stelling and his team in the Blue Ridge Mountains, acclaimed musician, composer and singer Rhiannon Giddens who explains her musical obsession with the fretless minstrel banjo made by Jim Hartel in upstate NY, and Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra Principal Timpanist Joseph Pereira with mallet maker Jason Ginter.

About Martin Guitar & Strings C. F. Martin & Co. (www.martinguitar.com) has been creating the finest instruments in the world for 182 years. It continues to innovate, introducing techniques and features that have become industry standards, including X-bracing, the 14-fret guitar and the "Dreadnought" size. One of the world's leading acoustic instrument makers, Martin guitars are hand-made by skilled craftsmen and women, who use a combination of new design and techniques, along with those introduced by the company founder.

The company is also known for producing high-quality, popular acoustic guitar strings. These include the Martin SP® LIFESPAN™ line, the fastest-growing treated string in the industry, and the Martin SP line, which uses an industry leading core wire to hold tunings better.

Martin guitars and Martin strings are the instruments and strings of choice for musicians around the world, from the icons of rock, pop, country, folk and bluegrass to those just beginning their careers. They can be seen across all segments of pop culture, from television to movies, Broadway, books, online, and gracing the covers of popular magazines on newsstands everywhere. Connect with Martin and Martin Strings on Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, YouTube and via www.martinguitar.com and www.martinstrings.com.

About Craft in AmericaCRAFT IN AMERICA is a non-profit organization dedicated to advancing original handcrafted work through the Peabody Award-winning documentary series on PBS nationwide and the free-to-the-public Craft in America Center located in Los Angeles, which offers artist talks, exhibitions, workshops and a library. With thirteen episodes produced since 2007, CRAFT IN AMERICA takes viewers on a journey to the artists, origins and techniques of American craft. Each episode contains stories from diverse regions and cultures, blending history with living practice and exploring issues of identity, ritual, philosophy and creative expression. Ancillary projects include extensive websites providing hours of online videos and interactive learning materials, as well as museum exhibitions, and the Random House book Craft in America: Celebrating Two Centuries of Artists and Objects.